It was a three-day festival of the arts of and music — in our own backyard.
Gussapalooza organizer Russ Robson started the event on an old houseboat at Holland Landing in 2017 and it has grown exponentially, with a short COVID-19 hiatus.
The festival at the Georgian Bay Steam Show Grounds in Cookstown featured food and entertainment with visual and musical artists as well as comedians.
Robson said he is proud of the networking and friendships being made at the site, where visitors could also camp over the weekend.
Robson, an independent recording artist and singer-songwriter, is described as a “grunge folk” artist with alternative and country touches. His passion for music started at an early age when a guitar was put into his hands.
His father was friends with one of the Cowsills, the inspiration for the Partridge Family television show about a pop music touring family.
Over the weekend, there were three stages for the musicians rotating performing times through the weekend. As well there were seminars like the one titled, Business of the Music Industry, given by Paul Sanderson who as a lawyer for more than 40 years, has counseled major music publishers, record companies and recording artists.
Travelling North America and finding niche groups of artists wherever he roamed, most from small towns searching for a big opportunity, Robson saw the time was ripe for a more organized way to get the artists to display their talents to those craving their creativity.
The success of the event over the past few years and word of mouth meant they had over 2,000 submissions from artists looking to attend this year's event.
“We’ve had people from the U.S., the UK and even Sweden want to come and perform here. But we want to showcase as much local talent as possible, showing them what’s in their backyard, and get people on who have applied before,” Robson explained.
Singer song-writer Francesca Panetta performed at the 2023 version of the festival and was singing the praises of Gussapolooza.
“I’ve received such support here from Russ and Gussapalooza," said Panetta, who wasn’t scheduled to perform this weekend but being a local, a no-show meant she got to scoot back home, pick up her guitar, and be on stage.
Michael Bell, who has been involved in and around the music industry for decades, and is appearing next week in the Bowie Lives show in Barrie, was on hand to enjoy the weekend.
“Gussapalooza will outgrow this property in five years. This event has all the boxes checked, and then some. This has the potential to be Burning Man north," predicted Bell.
Karl and Darien, along with their children — Maverick, Nora and Jace — travelled from Kitchener to spend the weekend absorbing the music.
“Nothing better than seeing music live and meeting the artists. We just grabbed our tent and came,” said Karl.
Having his kids meet the artists and get their autographs was a thrill for them, Karl said, and concluded: “We will be back for sure.”
Robson's goal is connection. He said he wants artists to connect with audiences and audiences to connect with artists, artists to connect with industry and other festivals to connect with Gussapalooza and build those bonds and grow the business of music and art for the 21st century.
